The beginning

Seth sat on the floor under the window. "I have all the same questions you do. About what happened. I wanna know how we're the same, but different." He scratched his face. "You know what I mean? Am I making sense?"

Cala hesitantly put the knife back on the bed and sat on it. "I supposed I have a lot of questions but there are no answers to them." She sat straight, looking straight ahead at the wall. "I don't think you have any business coming to me."

Seth chuckled and slouched more. "You just follow that guy around like a puppy, don't you? You don't think or do anything for yourself." He looked at her, pitying her situation. "It's gotta suck. Being nothing more than a puppet."

Soren sighed and sat up on the bed. He closed his eyes and concentrated, murmuring a quiet chant as he worked on suppressing the power he relinquished from Athen. A dark shadow surrounded him as he chanted, his usual blue light infected with the thick hatred. As time passed, the shadow lightened gradually, going back to a deep royal blue shade. That will have to do for now, Soren thought as he let out a deep breath.

India looked between the three men quickly. She shook her head. "I just walked in," she said, looking for a free nurse. "Already I'm working." She hurried past Zander and the other man, nodding to them politely. "I'll be busy with this patient," she called as she hurried away.

Kallias waved to India before addressing Zander. "Good evening, Zander. I see you have Ezekiel with you. Lovely. I can have him begin work on the broken carriages immediately."

Zander sighed and looked at Ezekiel. "Yeah, you can start on the carriages soon. But first," he looked back at Kallias. "What's going on here? I have a Lost, I don't know how many Misers, a girl that looks to be both, and a demon in this camp. If people hear about this, they'll panic." Zander didn't care about the Misers as much as he did the demon. "Could you explain to me what's going on here?" He leaned against his weapon like a cane.

"That is a lot to ask me to explain at once," Kallias answered. "To begin, Athen has been drained of his power for the time being. Five and I decided it would be in the best interest of the people to assure he was taken care of by humans. Perhaps that will spare their lives."

"And the Misers?" He asked. "I don't care much about them, but the rest of the camp would think twice if they found out they were in the camp?"

"To my knowledge, we have only brought one miser back with us," Kallias explained. "The boy that came back with us is a very important part of all three races and could not be left alone in the city after his inner presence was awoken. The woman with Soren is neither a miser or of the Lost."

"Are any of these people a direct threat to the camp?" Zander asked.

Kallias shook his head. "No, I don't see a reason to be concerned."

Zander nodded, inwardly relieved. "I heard the Miser girl talk about Krios. What about him? Is he real?"

Ezekiel watched the two of them, gulping quietly. He wished he could just go work on the carriages, since being here wasn't doing any good-It was just confusing him more than anything. It got him worried, but most of this seemed to be good news.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about Krios. The demon Misers are Five's specialty." Kallias walked past the men to a broken window outside the room. "I've done my best to avoid learning about such dreadful things. If the young Miser said it's true, then it very well could be. I have never seen Krios personally, but there are Misers who say they have."

"Should our men be prepared, ambassador?" he asked, looking off into the distance at nothing in particular.

"It might be wise to be," Kallias replied, turning his face towards the floor.
"Ezekiel, the carriages are on the south side of the city, just outside. When you are ready, report their and begin." Kallias quietly walked back to Athen's room and sat on the floor outside the door.

Zander sighed and nodded once. "Right then..." He looked down at Ezekiel. "Go ahead and take care of those carriages. I need to take care of some things." He spun on his heel and quickly left the building towards the militia headquarters.

Ezekiel nodded to both of them and called a goodbye as he speed walked out of the hospital and started toward the south side of the city, crossing his fingers in hope that nothing more would happen.

"I am not a puppet. I am an apprentice. I quietly observe and learn," Cala replied with no change in her voice. "I don't need pity. I am not unhappy."

"You don't look happy," Seth said with a shrug. "If you really are half of me, I know you're not, because I wouldn't be."

"I am nothing like you," Cala said, standing. "We are completely opposite. Please leave."

Seth snickered and stood. "Yet," he said with a grin. He hopped on the window frame and smiled at her. "I'll be seeing you around." He tipped backwards, smiling until his feet left the frame. He flipped and landed on his feet, running to the busy part of the city.

Athen, angered by his restraints, opened his eye and snarled. He touched the mortal wound and looked at the blood on his fingers. "How insulting," he hissed, wiping his hand on the blanket.

India stopped in the door way and looked at the man. Wow... what a good looking patient..., she thought tucking her hair behind her ears.
"Good afternoon," she said and stepped in the room. "I'm Dr. Tanner. I heard you had a stab wound. Why don't we take a look at it?"